YOUR BRAIN NEEDS A HUG

A validating, hopeful, and practical guide to mental health.

Earl (My Life Uploaded, 2018, etc.) begins this heartfelt and honest self-care guide by detailing her own struggles with and triumphs over mental illness, from anxiety, phobias, and eating disorders to OCD, psychosis, and self-harm. She also covers depression, using her mother’s experiences with bipolar disorder as an example. Throughout, the author repeatedly acknowledges that everyone experiences mental illness differently, and what worked for her might not work for others, but her tips and advice are worth a try. The book also covers how to cope with a mental illness diagnosis, develop and maintain self-esteem, navigate friendships and sex, and approach drugs and alcohol. She also includes a chapter on supporting someone with a mental illness. Humorous advice and entertaining black-and-white artwork keep the tone upbeat without minimizing the seriousness of mental illness. While teen readers are the primary audience, adults who have grappled with mental illness will also find sound advice among the pages. Paratextual material includes sidebars from Dr. Radha, aka Dr. R.; the extensive backmatter includes a playlist of songs and lists of organizations, books, and apps. The accessible writing style and attractive layout enhance this appealing and useful volume.

Teens struggling with mental illness will find comfort and valuable information in this superlative guide.